The beginning of my self-discovery journey started at a funky wellness center back in the mid 90’s called the Body Works Studio in Tempe, Arizona. This is where I started my yoga practice and also where I took my first journal writing class.
On a Saturday afternoon in the spring of 1995, a writing professor from Arizona State University visited an eccentric wellness center in Tempe to share their expertise for journal writing.
We arrived as seekers. Some of us were seeking to heal, some to discover a deeper meaning to life, some to learn who they really were, and some to learn how to cope with everyday life.
The professors’ purpose was to encourage a packed room of eager men and women of all ages not only to write, but to develop a writing habit; all for the sake of this one simple lesson.
Everything gets published.
Let’s pause and think about this declaration for a moment. I’m not talking about the traditional type of publishing that comes to mind: printed work. I’m talking about publishing in a much broader sense.
Somehow, some way; everything – your thoughts, your feelings, your point of view, and your opinions (positive or negative or good or bad) will eventually be published out into the world. It’s just a matter of time and a matter of expression.
Whether it’s in print, on social media, in your behavior, your actions, your words, your driving, everything that’s going on on the inside will eventually get published in some way, shape, or form on the outside. The longer you ruminate on everything that’s wrong, the worse, and potentially destructive, the published work will be.
Your Journal is Your Private Publisher
Your journal provides a safe place to publish your personal thoughts and viewpoints – and everything else that is better left on private pages – so they don’t inadvertently get published in ways that can be damaging.
These pages are where you whine, complain, criticize, analyze about anything or anyone. Write about things you would never say out loud but you need to get out. That’s what your journal is for.
Take Control of What You Publish
So the next time you’re feeling angry, anxious, misunderstood, afraid, or have negative thoughts about someone or something that just won’t stop, open up your journal or grab a sheet of paper and start writing. Trust me on this; you’ll feel a weight lifted off your shoulders.
And, you’ve significantly reduced or eliminated the chance that your private publishing goes public.
Getting Started on Your Journal Writing Practice
Just like with any other healthy habit that enriches your life; practicing yoga, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, etc., journal writing will enrich your life in ways you never expected.
Get 15 Inspiring Journal Ideas to Kickstart Journaling here.
Other Benefits of Journal Writing
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- Helps you have a better connection with your values, emotions, and goals
- Improves mental clarity and helps improve your focus
- Improves insight and understanding
- Tracks your overall development
- Facilitates your personal growth
Additional Reading
Here’s a blog post I wrote about how I use writing to recharge, recenter, and refocus so I have more time to enjoy what I really want to be accomplishing in life and in business.
Get Recharge in 20 Minutes with Morning Pages here.
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Sandra Lassiter
Sandra is a business and life coach who specializes in helping clients who are craving a change but feel stuck where they are. Sandra helps them discover a new vision of the future and follow through on their ideas with enthusiasm and confidence. With a diverse background that spans more than three decades, Sandra combines her educator’s perspective, business acumen, life coaching skills, and everything she’s learned along the way to help her clients make bold moves that advance them forward in their careers and in their lives. When she’s not working, Sandra loves practicing yoga, traveling, cultural experiences, and enjoying the desert southwest.